Home for the Holidays 2008
Holiday Essay Contest
The Santa Claus Lane Holiday Essay Contest winners have been announced by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. The Holiday Essay Contest, sponsored by Olean Times Herald's Newspapers in Education program, Premo Limo, and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, is held annually as part of the month-long Santa Claus Lane festivities.
Voting was done by a panel of individuals with Olean Times Herald's Newspapers in Education program, and the winners will enjoy Shop Olean gift certificates. Entries were judged in one of three categories: Elementary, Middle/Junior High, High School-age levels. Alyssa Ramarge, 3rd Grade at EastView Elementary won the Elementary category; Kaylee Eaton, 7th Grade at Cattaraugus Little-Valley Central won the Middle/Junior High; and Shane Hollamby, 9th Grade at Portville Central School won the High School. Children who live in Cattaraugus County were invited to write an essay about the December holidays -- What is so special about the holidays in Cattaraugus County ? This year the essay reflected the Cattaraugus County ’s Bicentennial Celebration.
The winners were also invited to the Annual Santa Claus Lane parade and helped Santa and Mayor David Carucci light the holiday decorations. Winners are published below. For more information on the holiday essay contest or Santa Claus Lane, please contact GOACC at (716) 372-4433 or email santa@oleanny.com.
ELEMENTARY WINNER-----------------
The best reason the holidays are special in Cattaraugus County to me is seeing Santa at different places. I’ve seen him at the Gallets House in Allegany. I got to eat cookies shaped like reindeer and elves! I saw him at my grandparent’s house in Olean with my cousins. He visited the Hampton Inn in Olean. I sat on his lap for the first time!
I live in Olean and get to spend time doing things like ice skating with friends and seeing the Santa Claus Lane Parade with my family. I really enjoyed the times my mom was in the parade. This year’s parade should be more special because it’s the County’s Bicentennial Celebration. My last reason is Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean . I love to go to the front of the church and hear Father Greg tell us a story.
Alyssa Ramarge, EastView Elementary, 3rd Grade
MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER---------------------
HOLIDAYS, WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO ME
To me the holidays are a time to spend with my family. The holidays are the sled rides down the hill into the ditch. Building that snowman that is so big I cannot reach the top. It’s picking out that Christmas tree that can hold the ornaments that I have collected since I was a baby. Christmas sleigh rides through town with popcorn balls and hot chocolate that warms your fingers and toes. Waking up and finding out about three feet of snow fell last night. It’s the first snowmobile ride of the season. It’s waking up at five am to be the first to see the presents and the stockings that my grandma made for my sister and me when we were little. And lastly, it’s taking that last breath on Christmas Day to take it all in.
Kaylee Eaton, Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central, 7th Grade
HIGH SCHOOL WINNER-----------------------
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS IN CATTARAUGUS COUNTY
During the holidays, Cattaraugus County is a special place to live. There are many things you can do. To me, the holiday’s start with those famous Nightmare Hayrides in Ellicottville and visits to Cummins Cider Mill in Portville serving their great cider and donuts. Let’s not forget the traditional Santa Claus Lane Parade in Olean , Santa on the Rooftop, and lighting of the Alcas Christmas tree to visit.
The winter is a great time for family outings. There is sledding at St. Bonaventure, skiing and tubing at Holiday Valley , or riding the Polar Express in Gowanda. Weekends are spent at the recreation center ice skating or snowmobiling throughout the county trails. These are fun but the best thing to do is donate to the Salvation Army bell-ringers and feel good that you are helping others.
Shane Hollamby, Portville Central, 9th Grade
SANTA CLAUS LANE